Green Country Homeowner Bilked By Contractor

Whenever storms hit, roof repair becomes a big deal.

Oklahoma passed a law 15 months ago designed to protect people from unscrupulous roofers.

It requires them to be registered with the state and have insurance.

The first person charged with violating that law goes to court in less than two weeks.

Violating the Roofing Contractors' Registration Act is a misdemeanor and that's what Shawn Brown with Quality Custom Homes is charged with in LeFlore County.

The couple who hired him says their home has been a disaster since last year.

During a remodeling project, Angela and Chris Peters said Brown removed a portion of their roof, and with a forecast of rain, they asked Brown to cover the hole – which he did, with a tarp.

Angela says they went out of town and came home hours later, only to discover a major mess.

"The ceiling had collapsed to the floor, insulation was hanging and stuck to everything, water was, had drenched our furniture. The floor had buckled like an ocean. It was a hardwood, so it was severely damaged," Angela Peters said.

She says water went through the living room and flooded their basement.

It destroyed so much, flat screen TVs, furniture and personal items that can't be replaced, Angela said.

She said that initially Brown told her he had insurance. But days later, Angela said Brown told them this: "He said, I'm sorry, I didn't have coverage for this project, so we were stymied."

Their personal insurance covered the repairs, even though they hated to file the claim.

Angela went to the State Construction Industries Board and realized Oklahoma has a law that requires roofers to be registered and have insurance. She learned Brown was not registered, so they went to the district attorney, who filed the charge.

Adding insult to injury, Brown filed a lien against their home.

"It was a slap in the face," she said. "It really was a slap in the face."

Angela says the law needs to be changed to address this issue, and she'd also like to see it require licenses for roofers, like plumbers and electricians, so Oklahomans know that the professionals have the skills for the job.